Remembering Worlds AIDS Day in Marion

Published: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 5:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 5:08 p.m.

Horace Nichols set up shop outside Sam’s Big Apple on Tuesday afternoon, a small red ribbon adorning his shirt.

Facts

HIV/AIDS

• 229 people in Marion County • 95,000 people in Florida • 1.1 million people in the U.S.* • 33 million people worldwide *As of 2007 Sources: Alachua County Health Department, Florida Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control

He called to each person walking by, some on their way to pick up lunch or a snack at the convenience store on West Silver Springs Boulevard.

“Hey, Cookie,” he said to a woman he knows. “Come get some of this.”

Nichols handed out pamphlets and condoms as part of his one-man bid to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS in a corner of Marion County.

Nichols’ work on Tuesday was just a small part of a global effort as groups recognized World AIDS Day.

Pope Benedict XVI called for prayers and concrete action to comfort all those who are suffering from AIDS. He said he hoped that with coordinated efforts, the HIV virus can be successfully cured.

In South Africa, President Jacob Zuma announced policies to increase care for HIV-positive women and treatment for all HIV-positive children.

Twitter, a popular social networking platform, turned messages about HIV or AIDS red as part of the (RED) initiative, which invests proceeds from apparel sales into disease programs.

Nichols said just getting information out, starting with his community, was needed.

“If we’re here and we save one life, that’s a plus to me,” he said.

Nichols, who grew up in the State Road 40 corridor, said the county’s black population is underserved when it comes to HIV and AIDS education.

“Our numbers are extremely high,” he said.

More than 35 percent of the county’s HIV and AIDS patients are African-Americans, according to health department statistics. Nichols has seen too many friends and neighbors die.

Nichols and Pearl Phillips started a local agency, Home, Health and Hope, to help those with AIDS.

The organization disbanded in 2007 after a rapid expansion, Phillips said. The demand for help and information was too great for the small group to handle.

Phillips said the group, which is reorganizing, does what it can with fundraising and donations, but it doesn’t stop the questions.

“People are always knocking on our doors,” she said. “We had to find out what we as a community could do to meet an upcoming problem.”

About 95,000 Floridians are infected with HIV or AIDS, according to the state Department of Health. Florida accounts for about 10 percent of the nation’s HIV and AIDS-related deaths.

Phillips said people take their sexual health for granted.

“They have gotten comfortable,” she said. “You need to take your heads out of the sand.

“If this has not struck your household, it will,” she said.

Outside the Sam’s Big Apple store on Tuesday, Verlene “Cookie” Elliott accepted Nichols’ offer and picked up some pamphlets for her grandchildren.

“We need to educate them young,” she said. “Mine ask questions and I give it to them straight.”

Phillips said HIV is an illness that eats away at the body, much like a pea or a small stone in the sole of a shoe.

“It’s not a taboo illness,” she said. “It’s a painful illness.”

Pat Batchelor, a volunteer for the organization, said someone has to get the word out about the disease.

“People have to understand how serious this is,” she said. “You need to get tested.

No one can tell who has AIDS and who doesn’t, Phillips said.

“It has no age, no face,” she said. “People just take things for granted.”

Batchelor said getting tested shouldn’t be taboo or pushed aside.

“It’s life,” she said. “If you want to live a full, happy life, get tested.”

<p>Horace Nichols set up shop outside Sam's Big Apple on Tuesday afternoon, a small red ribbon adorning his shirt. </p><p>He called to each person walking by, some on their way to pick up lunch or a snack at the convenience store on West Silver Springs Boulevard. </p><p>“Hey, Cookie,” he said to a woman he knows. “Come get some of this.” </p><p>Nichols handed out pamphlets and condoms as part of his one-man bid to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS in a corner of Marion County. </p><p>Nichols' work on Tuesday was just a small part of a global effort as groups recognized World AIDS Day. </p><p>Pope Benedict XVI called for prayers and concrete action to comfort all those who are suffering from AIDS. He said he hoped that with coordinated efforts, the HIV virus can be successfully cured. </p><p>In South Africa, President Jacob Zuma announced policies to increase care for HIV-positive women and treatment for all HIV-positive children. </p><p>Twitter, a popular social networking platform, turned messages about HIV or AIDS red as part of the (RED) initiative, which invests proceeds from apparel sales into disease programs. </p><p>Nichols said just getting information out, starting with his community, was needed. </p><p>“If we're here and we save one life, that's a plus to me,” he said. </p><p>Nichols, who grew up in the State Road 40 corridor, said the county's black population is underserved when it comes to HIV and AIDS education. </p><p>“Our numbers are extremely high,” he said. </p><p>More than 35 percent of the county's HIV and AIDS patients are African-Americans, according to health department statistics. Nichols has seen too many friends and neighbors die. </p><p>Nichols and Pearl Phillips started a local agency, Home, Health and Hope, to help those with AIDS. </p><p>The organization disbanded in 2007 after a rapid expansion, Phillips said. The demand for help and information was too great for the small group to handle. </p><p>Phillips said the group, which is reorganizing, does what it can with fundraising and donations, but it doesn't stop the questions. </p><p>“People are always knocking on our doors,” she said. “We had to find out what we as a community could do to meet an upcoming problem.” </p><p>About 95,000 Floridians are infected with HIV or AIDS, according to the state Department of Health. Florida accounts for about 10 percent of the nation's HIV and AIDS-related deaths. </p><p>Phillips said people take their sexual health for granted. </p><p>“They have gotten comfortable,” she said. “You need to take your heads out of the sand. </p><p>“If this has not struck your household, it will,” she said. </p><p>Outside the Sam's Big Apple store on Tuesday, Verlene “Cookie” Elliott accepted Nichols' offer and picked up some pamphlets for her grandchildren. </p><p>“We need to educate them young,” she said. “Mine ask questions and I give it to them straight.” </p><p>Phillips said HIV is an illness that eats away at the body, much like a pea or a small stone in the sole of a shoe. </p><p>“It's not a taboo illness,” she said. “It's a painful illness.” </p><p>Pat Batchelor, a volunteer for the organization, said someone has to get the word out about the disease. </p><p>“People have to understand how serious this is,” she said. “You need to get tested. </p><p>No one can tell who has AIDS and who doesn't, Phillips said. </p><p>“It has no age, no face,” she said. “People just take things for granted.” </p><p>Batchelor said getting tested shouldn't be taboo or pushed aside. </p><p>“It's life,” she said. “If you want to live a full, happy life, get tested.”</p><p>This story includes information from the Associated Press. </p><p>Contact Jackie Alexander at 867-4140 or jackie.alexander@starbanner.com.</p>